Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 620-37. 2008.

Ethnomedicinal Used Against and in Dir Kohistan Valley (NWFP),

*Gul Jan, *Mir Ajab Khan and **Farzana Gul

*Department of Sciences Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad **Department of Micro Biology Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad

Issued 12 September 2008 Abstract This paper enumerates the traditional uses of 34 plant species belonging to 26 families, that are used by the village communities of Dir Kohistan Valley (NWFP, Pakistan) for the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery diseases. Some of useful species are under serious threat due to unsustainable activities. Hence, a proper documentation of useful plants with their present status and local traditional knowledge as well as practices is urgently needed. Effort should also be initiated to implement appropriate conservation measures for preservation and sustainable uses of these useful species. Introduction Dir Kohistan Valley NWFP, (Pakistan) covers 1 40,351 acres of the coniferous forests situated between latitude 350- 9΄ to 350-47΄ and longitude 710-52΄ to 720-22΄ in the northern position of the watershed of Panjkora river. The Hindu Raj range bounds the area generally known as Dir Kohistan on the north and northwest, by the Torwal and Gabral range on the east, by Dodbah Sarghar on the south, and by Btarai ghar on the Southwest. Pangkora is a pashtu word meaning five streams; the five tributaries of the rivers are Azgologh, Zandrai, Shandoor, Gwaldai and Dokdara khwars. Territories adjoining the tract are Chitral on the north as well on the West, Swat Kohistan and Upper Swat on the east, and Painda khel and Dir on the South. The total area of Dir Kohistan is 4, 12,570 acres i.e., 645 squares miles. Of this, an area of 1, 40,351 acres covered with coniferous forests. (Source: District Census Report of Kohistan, NWFP Pakistan, 1998). The rural communities of Dir Kohistan Valley (NWFP, Pakistan) are still dependent upon wild plants for their primary healthcare and treatment of diseases. They collect the useful plants from various habitats such as forests, scrub, grassland, cultivated fields and use these plant materials as raw drugs. These communities have acquired good knowledge on the useful and harmful properties of the useful plant resources in course of their constant association with forest and agro-ecosystems. However, at present, this vast store of information is being eroded as a result of human’s unsustainable activities. The loss of traditional knowledge within cultures undergoing rapid change is just as irreversible as the loss of species (Joshi and Joshi, 2005). Hence efforts should be made to document the various uses of plants before some of these plants are eliminated from the area, or before these inhabitants shift over to modern remedies. In this context, the rich and diverse forest ecosystems and vast tribal population with traditional knowledge systems due to cultural and environmental diversity in the country have attracted a number of workers for ethnomedicinal studies in the past (Shinwari and Khan, 1998, Hamayun, 2003, Ahmad et al., (2004, Ahmad, 2005). However, the vast store of ethno-medicinal information of these study areas has not been fully documented. In the present paper an attempt has been made to present indigenous knowledge and uses of the wild plants which are used by local communities for treatment of diarrhea and dysentery. This study was carried out in some villages of Dir Kohistan Valley (NWFP, Pakistan). The land forms of the study areas are characterized by moderate to steep sloppy mountainous terrain. The study areas are endowed with rich and varied vegetation types due to their diverse topography and variable climatic conditions. The human pressure on these vegetative resources is very heavy except on very steep, almost vertical and inaccessible rock faces near the river. The villages are inhabited by different ethnic tribes which are rich in folk lore. Materials and Methods Several field trips in and around the study areas were undertaken during the years 2006-2008 with a view to collect plant species of ethnomedicinal value and to document the indigenous practices. The information was gathered using various techniques such as open and structured interview, and discussion with local informants, such traditional healers and experienced village elders including midwives and by direct observations. About 100 informants were interviewed in this regard. The plant specimens were identified with the help of floras. Voucher specimens are deposited in the Department of plant sciences Quaid-I-Azam University. Nomenclature used in this report follows Nasir and Ali (1972). Results During the field survey, ethnobotanical information of 34 species of medicinal plants belonging to 26 families was compiled from various habitats of the study areas. The study shows that diarrhea and dysentery, jaundice, pneumonia, asthma, digestive problem, dyspepsia, diabetes and eye problems are the major diseases in the village. During the treatment of the diseases, various forms of preparation are used. In the following enumeration, the species are arranged alphabetically. Botanical Name followed by family, uses of the plants and their parts as reported by the local inhabitants and habitat along with the information collected areas.

Botanical Name Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile. Family Mimosaceae Local Name Kikar Habit Tree Parts used woods, and gums Local uses Wood is hard and durable and is used for house, agricultural tools and as fuel wood. Leaves are used as fodder for goats. Gums are used as tonic, also for curing diarrhea, dysentery and diabetes. Flowering period March-May

Botanical Name Acacia modesta Wall. Family Mimosaceae Local Name Palosa Habit Tree Parts used Gum, leaves, flowers, sticks and wood. Local uses Gum is used as a tonic, for curing of dysentery and weakness, as a stimulant and demulcent. Branches are used as toothbrush. Leaves are used as fodder for goats. It is also used in fencing, as fuelwood and by honeybees.

Botanical Name Achillea millefolium L. Family Asteraceae Local Name Jarai Part used Whole plant Habit Local Uses The whole plant is boiled in water and the decoction is used for dysentery.

Botanical Name Acorus calamus L. Family Acoraceae Local Name Skhawaja. Habit: Herb of moist places Part Used Local Uses The dried rhizome is crushed to powder and used in dysentery and chronic diarrhea. The powder is mixed with mustard oil and applied externally for rheumatism. The rhizome is given to children to bite during teething.

Botanical Name Achyranthes aspera Linn. Family Name Amaranthaceae Local Name Lainda Parts used Whole plant. Local Uses Decoction of both leaves and roots are used in dysentery.

Botanical Name Ailanthus altissima (Mill) Swingle. Family Simarubaceae Local Name Angrizai backyanra Habit Large size fast growing cultivated tree Part used Leaves, trunk and bark Local uses Leaves are used as fodder for cattle. The wood is used for construction and making low class furniture, also used in making honeybee boxes and water-mill pulleys. It is used as fuelwood. Bark is anathematic. Bark juice is mixed with milk for curing dysentery and diarrhea. Flowering period April-May

Botanical Name Amaranthus viridis L. Family Amaranthaceae Local Name Gunhar Habit Herb Parts Used Whole plant Local Uses Decoction of whole plant is used for diarrhea.

Botanical Name Berberis brandisiana Ahrendt Family Berberidaceae Local Name Shugloo Habit Shrub Part Used Leaves, Fruits, Bark Local Uses Leaves decoction is useful in dysentery and sore throat. Fruits are edible. Root and stem bark is tonic and is frequently utilized for healing of wounds and arthritis.

Botanical Name Berberis lycium Royle. Family Berberidaceae Local Name Sumbal Parts Used Leaves Local Uses Dried leaves are crushed, mixed with water and then filtered through a cloth. The extract obtained is used to cure diarrhea. The dried seeds in Ghur syrup are one of the useful household remedies to cure diarrhea and dysentery.

Botanical Name Conyza canadensis Conquist. Family Asteraceae(Compositae) Local Name Malooch Habit Herb Parts used Vegetative parts Local uses Fresh fodder, stimulant, homeostatic, diuretic, used in diarrhea and dysentery. Flowering period July-Sept.

Botanical Name Cynodon dactylon L. Family Poaceae(Graminae) Local Name Drab Habit Herb Prostate grass Parts used Whole plant Local uses It serves as fresh fodder grazed by livestock. It is used along with Rose flowers in Jaundice. It is cultivated in lawns and playgrounds for ornamental purposes. It is also used in piles and dysentery. Flowering period April-October

Botanical Name Cyperus rotundus L. Family Cyperaceae Local Name Muther Parts Used Rhizome Habit Herb Local Use The tubers are scraped and pounded with green and mixed with honey is given in dysentery.

Botanical Name Daucus carota L. Family Umbelliferae Local Name Mooli Habit Herb Parts used The whole herb, seeds and roots. Local uses Diuretic and stimulant. An infusion of the herb is considered an active remedy in the treatment of dropsy, chronic kidney diseases and affections of the bladder. The seeds are carminative, stimulant and very useful in flatulence, windy colic, hiccough, dysentery, chronic coughs, etc. It is also used as a salad.

Botanical Name Diospyrus lotus L Family Ebenaceae Part used Fruit Habit Tree Local Name Amlok Local Uses Locally the decoction of ripened fruit is used for the curing of dysentery.

Botanical Name Euphorbia wallichii Hk.f. Family Euphorbiaceae Local Name Shangla Habit A common herb in moist temperate forests. Part Uses Latex, shoots. Uses It is poisonous; highly laxative causes severe diarrhea and dysentery.

Botanical Name Ficus bengalensis L. Family Moraceae Local Name Bargad Habit Tree Part used Latex Local Uses The latex of this plant is used to treat dysentery, diarrhea, piles, tooth decay, rheumatism and skin diseases.

Botanical Name Justicia adhatoda L. Family Acanthaceae Local Name Baikar Common Names Arusa & Bhekar (U); Malabar Nut & Casaka (Eng.) Habit Non palatable shrub Part Used Leaves Local Uses The decoction of leaves is antispasmodic, expectorant, abortifacient and also used for curing dysentery in cattle. Honey Bee species.

Botanical Name royleana (L.)Huds. Family . Local Name Villanay. Habit Herb Parts used Whole plants. Local uses Leaves are used as a stomach, carminative, diarrhea and dysentery, rheumatic and stimulant.

Botanical Name Mentha spicata L. Family Lamiaceae. Local Name Podina. Habit Peppermint herb Parts used Leaves. Local uses The dried leaves are powdered and used in chutney, stomachache and carminative. It is also used in diarrhea and dysentery. Leaves used as salad, spice and stimulant. The decoction of leave is used as mouthwash. It is also helpful in dyspepsia.

Botanical Name Oxalis corniculata L. Family Oxalidaceae Local Name Tarookay Habit A perennial herb Parts used Leaves Local uses Used for stomach problems, fever and dysentery. It is refrigerant, vermifuge and flavoring agent. Flowering period March--June.

Botanical Name integerrima J.L.Stewart ex Brandis Family Local Name Kangar Parts Used Galls Habit Shrub Local Uses Galls are burnt to ash and mixed with honey or sugar. The galls are powdered and fried in Ghee and given in dysentery.

Botanical Name Plantago major L. Family Plantaginaceae. Local Name Bartang Habit An annual herb Parts used Leaves and seeds. Local uses Seeds are laxative and is used for dysentery and mouth diseases.

Botanical Name Plantago lanceolata L. Family Plantaginaceae. Local Name Isphaghol,Ghwa jabai. Habit An annual herb. Parts used Leaves and seeds. Local uses Leaves extract is applied to sores, wounds and inflamed surfaces. It is a laxative and is used for dysentery and mouth diseases.

Botanical Name Platanus orientalis L. Family Plantanaceae Local Name Chinar Habit Tree Part Used Wood, Bark Folk Use wood yield timber, fuel wood. Bark is useful remedy in diarrhea and dysentery.

Botanical Name Polygonum bistorta Lin Family Polygonaceae Habit Herb Parts used Roots Local uses Root is one of the strongest astringent. It is of proved excellence in diarrhea and dysentery.

Botanical Name Polygonum persicaria L. Family Polygonaceae Habit Herb Parts used Roots Local uses The juice of the roots destroys worms in the ears .It is also used for diarrhea and dysentery. Flowering period June-Sep.

Botanical Name Punica granatum L . Family Punicaceae Local Name Anar Habit A wild/cultivated small, bushy tree. Parts used Leaves. Local used The leaves are used for skin diseases and against dysentery. Flowering period April - May.

Botanical Name Quercus inccana Roxb. Family Fagaceae Local Name Spin banj Parts used Fruit. Habit A slow growing tree. Local uses Fruit is used to stop internal bleeding. Stop diarrhea and dysentery.

Botanical Name Rubus fruticosus Hk.f. Family Rosaceae Habit Shrub Parts Used Roots Local Uses The root-bark, as used medicinally. It should be peeled off the root and dried by artificial heat or in strong sun. It is boiled in water or milk makes a good decoction. Half a teacupful should be taken every hour or two for diarrhea.

Botanical Name Valeriana wallichii DC. Family Valerianaceae Local Name Mushk-e-bala Habit A perennial herb Parts used Rhizome Local uses Decoction of rhizome is used cholera, dysentery and against hysteria. The rhizome is carminative, aromatic and antispasmodic. Flowering period Feb.-Aug.

Botanical Name Verbascum thapus L. Family Verbinace Local Name Kharghwaq Habit An annual herb Parts use Leaves, flowers and seeds. Local uses Used against diarrhea and dysentery of cattle, analgesic and antiseptic and a wound healer. Leaves and flowers are used against cough and pulmonary diseases in the form of a paste. The seeds are narcotic and used as a fish poison. Flowering period March-October

Botanical Name Valeriana jatamansi Jones Family Valerianaceae Local Name Mushk-e-Bala Habit A perennial herb of temperate forests Part Uses Rhizome Local Uses Decoction of rhizome is useful in cholera and dysentery. Rhizome is carminative and aromatic. It is antispasmodic. It is also recommended in hysteria.

Botanical Name Zizyphus jujuba Mill. Family Rhamnaceae Local Name Bor/Ber Habit Tree Part used Bark Local Uses The macerated bark is mixed with milk and honey, and is taken for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, cough and cold.

Botanical Name Zizyphus jujuba Mill. Family Rhamnaceae Local Name Baira Habit Tree Part Used Wood, leaves, roots, bark, fruits Local Use Bark macerated in milk is given along with honey in diarrhea and dysentery. It is a major ingredient of “Joshanda” which is used for cough and cold.

Discussion The use of plants for the existence of human being is as old a practice as the human race itself. The accumulation of knowledge of plant use however co-evolved with human civilization through the experiential use of plants, generation after generation. People would have remained exposed to epidemic, endemic and chronic diseases, besides acute ailments (Hamayun, 2003). In Dir Kohistan valley the percentage of traditional knowledge about the use of medicinal plants is clear from Graphs 1 and 2. Old aged people, women and hakims add 50% of it and use that much (about 50%) to cure their ailments. Elder have 30% knowledge and use 5% of the local drugs. Young people know about 15% of it but they use little (about 1%) or none at all of the local medicinal plants in case of illness. Children know about 5% of the uses but they were forced to take 40% of the folk medicinal recipes for the treatment of diseases (Graphs 1 and 2). The results of the present study revealed that wild plants and their parts are widely used for diarrhea and dysentery in the study villages of the Dir Kohistan Valley (NWFP, Pakistan). Local people have remarkable detailed knowledge of species identity and characteristics. As more than 60 percent of plant species useful for diarrhea and dysentery treatment appear to be restricted to shaded forest habitats in the forests, the anthropogenic unsustainable activities such as deforestation, habitat destruction, urbanization etc. may pose a serious threat to the species. Hence, priority should be given to the following three measures: 1) Investigation related to , chemical screening and documentation of the useful species and their habitats; 2) Initiation of conservation action works with appropriate measures involving local participation; 3) Implementation of awareness activities with integrated approach for sustainable development. Refernces Ahmad E., M.Arshad, M.Ahmad. M.Saeed and M. Ishaq, 2004. Ethnopharmacology survive of medicinally important plants of Galyat areas of NWFP Pakistan.Asian J. Plant Sciences, 3(4), 2004.

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